What To Expect During an Unscripted Family Session
Open Communication from Start to Finish
I will typically respond to initial inquiries within 24-48 hours. From there, we can move on to set up a meeting either virtually, by phone or in person. Whatever you are most comfortable with! Overall, my goal is to keep things as simple and straight forward as possible. So, from beginning to end, you’ll know what’s up!
A Relaxed, Pressure-Free Session
All sessions are photographed documentary-style with little to no intervention from me. My goal is not to take the perfect portrait, but to celebrate this chapter of life, whatever that may look like for you. There’s no obligation to put on a show or make elaborate plans. Simply live your life, go through your normal routines, plan activities that you and your kids love, run around, take naps, play in the mud - anything goes!
With the help of a short booking questionnaire and a detailed meeting, we’ll come up with the perfect plan that suits your unique family dynamic. For shorter sessions, we’ll discuss specific activities or places that are special to you to fully maximize our time together. But if direction is needed in the moment, I’m always happy to guide you!
A Wide Range of Flexible Options
In keeping with these low-stress values, I understand the need for flexibility! Therefore, session options are based around experiences, not time-constraints. They range widely from simple outings to full day, immersive in-home sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Not exactly. You’ll obviously know I’m there and I’m not going to make it weird by showing up and silently photographing you from a dark corner. That’s just creepy. It’s important that you feel comfortable with me around! So, I’ll still be interacting with you and your family, chatting and hanging out with camera in hand. But I know when to step back and be that fly on the wall so moments are captured authentically. Just think of me as a your shutter bug friend hanging out for the day!
-
Sometimes! Posed portraits can be a fun way to break the ice or simply just to get everyone in a single frame together. But even with staged photos, I still incorporate movement and natural, candid interactions. So don’t expect anything stuffy or formal. I generally don’t rely on them and only do it when they’re requested or if creativity strikes in the moment. Other than some gentle guidance where necessary (like where the good light is, or what time of day would be prettiest to go outside, etc), I try to interfere as little as possible to fully capture your best moments.
-
That’s the beauty of documentary photography! There’s nothing for your kids to have to tolerate, because no one will be slogging through hours of posing (which I know can be exhausting for kids!) A documentary session is typically done either in-home or at a location you enjoy as a family, so your children will be in an environment they feel safe in and they’re free to be themselves! Longer sessions also give us all a chance to feel fully comfortable with each other and allows for an easy, natural flow. Believe it or not, these can be much more easy-going than a short session where you might feel more pressured to make sure your kids are on their best behavior. No session will be stunted by stringent time constraints, but if you’re looking for something that’s not going to last all day, don’t sweat it! There are still options for you!
-
Sort of. Since family documentary sessions are meant to highlight your every-day family life, feel free to invite me over for a family gathering, a birthday party or a day trip with some friends! But if you’re looking for wedding photography or to capture a larger event, that’s a totally different ball game. But feel free to reach out for a custom quote!
-
Yes! For any session, there will be an initial payment made at the time of signing your contract with the remainder due by the date of your session. Any payment plan can be made flexible based on timing and budget!